Identifying subterranean structures using amorphous metal markers

a technology of amorphous metal and subterranean structures, which is applied in the direction of mechanical equipment, instruments, and reradiation, etc., can solve the problems of buried clay, ceramic or concrete structures, and cannot be found using conductive or induced current techniques, and the surrounding earth must be disturbed,

Active Publication Date: 2019-05-02
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL RES CENT FOUNDATIO
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Problems solved by technology

A long-standing problem has been that of reliably identifying the location of subterranean structures, particularly when the structures are non-metallic, and therefore do not have a magnetic signature that can be detected; these items are also non-conductive and cannot be found using conductive or induced current techniques.
Although PVC and polyethylene pipe are common structures that need to be identified, similar problems can exist with buried clay, ceramic, or concrete structures.
A disadvantage of such a system, however, is that the surrounding Earth must be disturbed to locate the plastic sheet or tape.
Conventional systems u

Method used

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  • Identifying subterranean structures using amorphous metal markers
  • Identifying subterranean structures using amorphous metal markers
  • Identifying subterranean structures using amorphous metal markers

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[0017]The following description and the drawings sufficiently illustrate specific embodiments to enable those skilled in the art to practice them. Portions and features of some embodiments described herein may be included in, or substituted for, those of other embodiments.

[0018]The present description addresses methods and apparatus present for identifying subterranean structures using amorphous metal markers associated with the structures. In many examples, the amorphous metal marker will include one or more sections of an amorphous metal foil within a protective enclosure sufficient to prevent contact between surrounding Earth and the amorphous metal foil, which could cause corrosion or other degradation of the amorphous metal foil.

[0019]The amorphous metal foil marker will be sized relative to the intended installation to result in a localized variation in the Earth's magnetic field of a selected magnitude which can be detected. In many examples, such detection may be performed u...

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Abstract

Disclosed are methods and apparatus for identifying non-metallic subterranean structures using amorphous metal markers associated with the structures. Some examples will include the amorphous metal in the form of one or more sections of an amorphous metal foil within a protective enclosure sufficient to physically isolate the amorphous metal foil from the surrounding Earth. The amorphous metal foil and enclosure may be in the form of a tape which either will be secured to, or placed proximate the subterranean structure, which may be, for example, a pipe or conduit, or other non-metallic structure.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present disclosure relates generally to methods and apparatus for identifying subterranean structures using amorphous metal markers associated with the structures; and more specifically relates to methods and apparatus for establishing location indicators for non-metallic structures, such as non-metallic pipes or pipelines, tanks, etc. through use of amorphous metal markers, such as sections of amorphous metal foil.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]A long-standing problem has been that of reliably identifying the location of subterranean structures, particularly when the structures are non-metallic, and therefore do not have a magnetic signature that can be detected; these items are also non-conductive and cannot be found using conductive or induced current techniques. One common example of such a structure is underground non-metallic conduit, for example such as PVC or polyethylene pipe or tubing. Although PVC and polyethylene pipe are common structur...

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): G01V15/00F16L1/11G01V3/08
CPCG01V15/00F16L1/11G01V3/087F16L9/125E02F5/103E02F5/00F16L9/12
Inventor MARTIN, CHRISTOPHER LEE
Owner ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL RES CENT FOUNDATIO
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